Copyright Protection
Copyright Solicitors
We offer smart copyright management and protection services to clients at a cost effective rate.
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Smart Copyright Lawyers
Our Copyright Fees | Copyright FAQs
Copyright protection is essential if you want to make sure that others do not take advantage of your original, creative and intellectual creation. Copyright in simple terms means a right to copy a work. Copyright work is categorised according to:
- original literary, dramatic, musical and artistic;
- film, sound recordings and broadcasts; and
- typographical arrangements.
Every business has copyright work that they possess. Although copyright may seem like the simplest form of intellectual property (IP) that does not require registration unlike trade marks, copyright law can be highly complex. At Freeman Harris, we have developed an expertise in dealing with copyright law matters from copyright disputes arising from infringement to assignment and licensing of copyright.
How can Freeman Harris’s Copyright Lawyers help you with your matter?
We can directly help you in the UK or EU with your copyright matter. From enforcing your copyright to helping you set up licenses of your copyright works. Best of all, our London based copyright lawyers offer this legal service at a reasonable fee, so you don’t have to worry about the finances.
Copyright laws differ between jurisdictions, but we work with a network of associates who cover all major markets. Our Copyright solicitors can offer advice on copyright ownership, infringement and fair use. We can also help you leverage copyright with third parties.
Recent Copyright Work
- Acted on behalf of an emerging fashion label working with the likes of Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton whose copyright work was being used by another company without permission to promote their work.
- Advised a popular author in a niche area about issues arising from their contract with a major publishing house (Penguin Books).
- Defended a claim of copyright infringement by one of the leading online course providers.
- Advised a popular rapper on their rights over music videos shot by their production company and managed by a third party online.
If you have a copyright dispute or would like us to provide advice on copyright, please contact us, and we will outline the service we can offer, and the associated costs.
Intellectual Property Team
Ian Freeman
Ian has a great understanding of intellectual property matters, and trade mark and copyright disputes.
Abdul Hafezi
Abdul carries out a broad range of litigation work including dealing with intellectual property matters.
Talha has been working with intellectual property matters for a number of years including registration and advising on and overlooking IP disputes.
Isabel is training to learn intellectual property matters and will be communicating with you on IP matters.
What our clients say?
I would recommend Freeman Harris solicitor to anyone. I was very happy in the way I was dealt with. The solicitor that handle my case was professional and efficient, she always put my mind at ease under difficult circumstance.
Blake R
Common Copyright Questions
What is copyright?
Copyright arises automatically; it is essentially the right to reproduce (i.e. copy), sell, licence and otherwise exploit ‘creative work’ for a period of time that varies according to the type of creative work produced.
You automatically get copyright protection when you create:
- original literary, dramatic, musical and artistic work (drawing, illustration and photography)
- original non-literary written work, such as software, web content etc.
- sound and musical recordings
- film and television recordings as well as broadcasts
How long does copyright protection last for?
There are different rules for the different categories of copyrights. For author or creators of original literary, dramatic, musical and artistic work, the copyright would lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years. If there are joint authors, then the lifetime applies until both authors pass away.
For any broadcasts (TV, radio or online) and computer generated works, copyright lasts for 50 years from the time the work was created.
Sound recordings last for 50 years from creation, and 70 years from publishing or being made available to the public.
For films, the copyright lasts for 70 years from the death of the director and/or other principals.
Are there types of copyright infringement?
There are two types of copyright infringement:
- Primary infringement – this occurs when a person conducts any restricted acts without the permission of the copyright holder. This could be distributing another person’s copyrighted work without permission as an example.
- Secondary infringement – this occurs ‘further down the supply chain’ where infringing copyrighted works are dealt with or their production facilitated.
What are the restricted acts only a copyright owner can conduct?
The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (CDPA 1988) provides the copyright owner exclusive rights in the UK to conduct the following restricted acts:
- copy the work
- issue (distribute) copies of the work to the public
- rent or lend the work
- perform, show or play the work in public
- communicate the work, and
- adapt it, or do any of the above restricted acts in relation to an adaptation
Any individual who isn’t the copyright owner and conducts any of the acts above, either directly or through another person, would be infringing a copyright.
I am being pursued for trade mark infringement. What should I do?
If you are being pursued for trade mark infringement, you should follow the process below.
- Request details about the infringement claim being made against you.
- Verify the claim either through a solicitor or yourself if you have the expert knowledge.
- Find a resolution for the claimed infringement if you are at fault. If not, draft your response to the other party.
Copyright Law Fees
| Service | Fees | VAT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copyright Cease & Desist Letter | From £1000 | £200 | From £1200 |
| Copyright Advice | From £250 | £50 | £300 |
| Copyright Infringement | From £250 per hour | £50 | £300 |
| Copyright License | £300 | £60 | £360 |
Contact us to resolve your intellectual property dispute
Discuss your matter with us.